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What is the difference between a switch and a hub when sending traffic to a specific PC?

User Wenqi
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Final answer:

A switch is more intelligent than a hub as it directs traffic to a specific PC's port using a CAM table, reducing congestion and increasing security, while a hub broadcasts traffic to all ports.

Step-by-step explanation:

Difference Between a Switch and a Hub

The main difference between a switch and a hub when sending traffic to a specific PC lies in the way they handle data transmission. A hub broadcasts the incoming traffic to all ports, regardless of the destination, leading to unnecessary traffic and potential security issues. On the other hand, a switch is smarter in operation. It maintains a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) table that stores information such as which MAC addresses are associated with which ports. When it receives traffic, the switch looks up the destination MAC address in the CAM table and sends the traffic directly to the specific PC's port, greatly reducing network congestion and enhancing security.

A switch, on the other hand, is a more intelligent networking device. When traffic is sent to a specific PC through a switch, the switch analyzes the MAC addresses (unique identifiers) of the devices connected to it and then forwards the traffic only to the specific PC with the matching MAC address. This ensures that the traffic is delivered directly to the intended PC, reducing network congestion and improving overall network performance.

User Cromandini
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